March - April Book Club!

Want a sneak peak for the next book? I'm planning on reading "Devil in the White City"! It's a book I've been intending to read for AGES and this will make sure that I actually get to it! Here is the goodreads description:

Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that 'The Devil in the White City' is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor.

Burnham's challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous "White City" around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair's incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison.

The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims.

Happy Reading!

May - June Book Club!

The next book club book is going to be "My Drunk Kitchen" by Hannah Hart. This is a book I've been hearing fantastic things about and I'm really looking forward to reading. Check out the description below!

One day, sad cubicle dweller and otherwise bored New York transplant Hannah Hart decided, as a joke, to make a fake cooking show for her friend back in California. She turned on the camera, pulled out some bread and cheese, and then, as one does, started drinking. (Doesn't everyone cook with a spoon in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other?) The video went viral and an online sensation was born.

"My Drunk Kitchen" includes recipes, stories, full color photos, and drawings to inspire your own culinary adventures in tipsy cooking. It is also a showcase for Hannah Hart's great comedic voice. Hannah offers key drink recommendations, cooking tips (like, remember to turn the oven off when you go to bed) and shares never-before-seen recipes such as:

The Hartwich (Knowledge is ingenuity! Learn from the past!)

Can Bake (Inventing things is hard! You don't have to start from scratch!)

Latke Shotkas (Plan ahead to avoid a night of dread!)

Tiny Sandwiches (Size doesn't matter! Aim to satisfy.)

Saltine Nachos (It's not about resources! It's about being resourceful.)

This is a book for anyone who believes they have what it takes to make a soufflé for the holiday party and show up the person who apparently has nothing better to do than bake things from scratch. It also recommends the drink you'll need to accompany any endeavor of this magnitude. In the end, "My Drunk Kitchen" may not be your go-to guide for your next dinner party . . . but it will make you laugh and drink . . . I mean think . . . about life.

Rules of Book Club

You do not talk about book club.

You do NOT talk about book club!

JUST KIDDING! Definitely talk about book club, that's the point isn't it? Please see the guidelines and general thoughts below:

Want to join? Just read the book before the posted deadline! Please try to read the whole thing rather than just part of it. We won't exclude you if you don't finish, but beware spoilers!

To sign up, please drop a note on Facebook so I know you're participating or email me at ReadingToDistraction@gmail.com.

Pumposity not Pomposity - Get excited! No one likes the person who pompously dictates the learning lessons and provides a dissertation on didactic philosophy. Conversations will be structured informally and are intended as a a community event.

I will never pick a book that I received for free through a book tour. This is for community/discussion not a promotional tool.

I will also be posting my thoughts from the discussion after we meet to discuss!

Have a suggestion for the next book? Drop me an email at ReadingToDistraction@gmail.com!